Self-winding watch



March 10, 1931. M. REINER 1,795,617

SELF WINDLNG WATCH Filed Nov. 12. 1929 caused to oscillate Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE max nnmnn, or BRONX, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO PERPETUAL SELF WINDING wa'ron comma: or AMERICA, me, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or DELAWARE SELF-WINDING WATCH Application filed November 12, 1929. Serial No. 406,561.

This invention relates to watches and more especially to wrist watches equipped with means for efi'ecting winding of the main spring upon movement of the watch.

An object of this invention is a self-winding watch provided with improved and effective means for winding the main spring upon movement of the watch while being Worn and preventing overwinding of such spring.

In a watch embodying this. invention there is provided a weighted pendulum which is y movement imparted to the watch usually while being worn. A pivoted lever is provided which is equipped with means for imparting uni-directional rotation to a wheel associated with the winding train of the watch. Resilient means are provide to cause the lever to move in unison with the pendulum in one direction and gravity is relied upon to move the lever and pendulum in unison in the opposite direction. The tension of the resilient means is such that when the main spring is nearly wound, oscillation of the pendulum without corresponding oscillation of the lever is permitted, thus preventing overwinding of the spring. Means are provided for varying the tension applied to the resilient means, thus making it possible to vary the extent to which the main spring is wound.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a rear view of a watch embodying the invention, and

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are detail views of modified forms of the pendulum mechanism.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the case 10 may be of any suitable design and within it is suitably arranged the watch movement 11. The main spring gear wheel 12 is connected through a suitable winding train with a ratchet wheel 13, the reverse operation of which is prevented by the pawl 14. A pivoted lever 15 is provided with a spring pressed pawl 16 which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 13 to impart uni-directional rotation thereto upon oscillation of the lever.

A weighted pendulum is pivoted for oscillation a out a different axis than the axis of the lever 15 and the extent of oscillation of the pendulum may be limited by stops 18. A resilient member or spring 19 is pivoted to the end of the lever 15 and one end of this member engages a pin 20 carried by the pen- 1 tion of the ratchet wheel 13 thereby effecting winding of the main spring through the medium of the winding train. However, should the main spring be nearly wound up, its resistance to winding will be suflicient to overcome the tension of the spring 19 so that the lever 15 will remain stationary during oscillation of the pendulum 17. The tension exerted by the spring 19 may be varied by ad usting the screw 21.

In Fig. 2, the lever 15 and pendulum 17 have a common axis. The operation of the pendulum and lever is, however, the same as in Fig. 1. v

In the modification disclosed in- Fig. 3, the lever 15 and pendulum 17 haveseparate axes and the resilient member 19 is carried by the pendulum. One end oflthe resilient member 19 extends between pins 20 on the lever 15 and the other end-engages a hexagonal adjusting member 21a. The operation in V H 7 this modification is similar to that of the operation of the embodiment "disclosed in' spring 19, when the lever 15 remains stationary and the pendulum 17 oscillates relative thereto.

The spring 19 tends to keep the lever and pendulum in definite relationship and also tends to restore the relationship whenever the pendulum is moved away from the lever. There is no drag exerted on the pendulum tending to retard its return to normal position. Rather, there is exerted on the pendulum a force tending to assist its return to normal position. The force exerted by the spring tending to oppose movement of the pendulum away from the lever is definitely regulable and remains constant after being regulated.

. I claim:

1. In a self-winding watch, a weighted pivoted lever, a second pivoted lever, a winding train, means to impart uni-directional rota tion from said second lever-to a wheel in said 'winding train, and means resiliently connecting said levers.

2. In a self-winding watch, a weighted pivoted lever, a second pivoted lever, a winding train, means to impart uni-directional rota tion from said second lever to a wheel of said winding train,and a resilient member carried by one of said levers and engaging the other lever yieldably to maintain said levers in predetermined relationship.

3. In a self-winding watch, a weighted pivoted lever, a second pivoted lever, a winding train, means to impart uni-directional rotation from said second lever to a wheel of said winding train, a resilient member carried by one of said levers and engaging the other lever yieldably to maintain said levers in predetermined relationship, and means to {)egulate the tension of said resilient memer. a

4. In a self-winding watch, a weighted pivoted lever, a second pivoted lever, a resilient member pivotally supported by one of said levers, a pin carried by the other lever and engaging one end of said resilient member, and adjustable means engaging the other end of said resilient member for varying the tension of the resilient member.

5. In a self-winding watch, a weighted pendulum, a pivoted lever, a winding train, means to impart uni-directional rotation from said lever to a wheel of said winding train, and means resiliently connecting said pendulum and lever.

6. In a self-winding watch, a weighted pivoted lever, a second pivoted lever, a winding train, means to impart uni-directional rotation from said second lever to a wheel of said winding train, a resilient member pivotally carried by one of said levers and having one end engaging the other lever yieldably to maintain said levers in predetermined relationship, and adjustable means engaging the remaining end of said resilient member M nveaoiv to regulate the tension of said resilient member.

7. In a self-winding watch, a weighted lever, a second lever, a pivoted connection j in said winding train, and means carried by one of said levers and engaging the other lever normally to effect corresponding oscillation of said levers.

9. In a self-winding watch, a pivoted lever, a second lever pivoted to said first lever, a weight supported by one of said levers, a

rotation from said second lever to a wheel 4 winding train, means to impart uni-direc-' tional rotation from one of said levers to a wheel of said winding train, and means resiliently connecting said levers.

10. In a self-winding watch, a pivoted lever, a weighted pendulum pivoted to said lever, a winding train, means to impart gini directional rotation from said lever to a wheel of said winding train, and resilient means connecting said pendulum and lever.

11.. In a self-winding watch, a pivoted lever, a pivoted pendulum, said lever and pendulum having their axes offset, a winding train, means to impart uni-directional rotation from said lever to a wheel of said winding train, and resilient means connecting said pendulum and lever.

12. In a self-winding watch, a pivoted lever, a pivoted pendulum coaxial with said lever, a winding train, means to impart uni-- directional rotation from said lever to a wheel of said winding train, and resilient means connecting said pendulum and lever.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

MAX REINER. 

